Soviet Space Program Buran OK-1K Energiya/Buran
About the Buran OK-1K Mission
| Type | Test Flight |
|---|---|
| Orbit | Low Earth Orbit |
First and only flight of the Buran space shuttle
Launch Pad & Location
110/37 (110L)
Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan
| Launches | 3 |
|---|---|
| Orbital Launch Attempts | 3 |
| Total Launches | 1565 |
The Baikonur Cosmodrome is a spaceport operated by Russia within Kazakhstan. Located in the Kazakh city of Baikonur, it is the largest operational space launch facility in terms of area. All Russian crewed spaceflights are launched from Baikonur.
Energia Energiya/Buran Rocket
Energia (Russian: Энергия, Energiya, "Energy") (GRAU 11K25) was a Soviet rocket that was designed by NPO Energia to serve as a heavy-lift partially recoverable launch system for a variety of payloads including the Buran spacecraft.
| Length | 97.0 m |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 17.7 m |
| Stages | 3 |
| Launch Mass | 2,629.0 T |
| Takeoff Thrust | 35,301.0 kN |
| LEO Capacity | 90,400 kg |
| GEO Capacity | 20,000 kg |
| Maiden Flight | 11/15/1988 |
Mission Spacecraft
Buran OK-1K
Buran OK-1K (1.01) was the spacecraft used for this mission. It is a ROSCOSMOS Spaceplane designed for Autonomously carrying cargo and crew (never achieved) to Low Earth Orbit. and traveled to Low Earth Orbit.
First and only Buran orbiter to fly in space. It was destroyed in 2002 when the hangar it was stored in collapsed. The Buran programme was started by the Soviet Union as a response to the United States Space Shuttle programme. The project was the largest and the most expensive in the history of Soviet space exploration. Development work included sending BOR-5 test vehicles on multiple sub-orbital test flights, and atmospheric flights of the OK-GLI aerodynamic prototype. Buran completed one uncrewed orbital spaceflight in 1988, after which it was recovered successfully. Although the Buran class was similar in appearance to NASA's Space Shuttle orbiter, and could similarly operate as a re-entry spaceplane, its internal and functional design was distinct. For example, the main engines during launch were on the Energia rocket and were not taken into orbit by the spacecraft. Smaller rocket engines on the craft's body provided propulsion in orbit and de-orbital burns, similar to the Space Shuttle's OMS pods. At least 15-20 days, but its only flight lasted only 206 minutes.
| Type | Spaceplane |
|---|---|
| Agency | ROSCOSMOS |
| Serial Number | 1.01 |
| Status | Destroyed |
| Destination | Low Earth Orbit |
| Maiden Flight | 11/15/1988 |
| Mission End | 11/15/1988 |
| Flights | 1 |
| Crew Capacity | 4 |
| Human Rated | Yes |
| Height | 36.4 m |
| Payload Capacity | 30,000 kg |
About Soviet Space Program
The Soviet space program, was the national space program of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) actived from 1930s until disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991.
The Soviet Union's space program was mainly based on the cosmonautic exploration of space and the development of the expandable launch vehicles, which had been split between many design bureaus competing against each other. Over its 60-years of history, the Russian program was responsible for a number of pioneering feats and accomplishments in the human space flight, including the first intercontinental ballistic missile (R-7), first satellite (Sputnik 1), first animal in Earth orbit (the dog Laika on Sputnik 2), first human in space and Earth orbit (cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin on Vostok 1), first woman in space and Earth orbit (cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova on Vostok 6), first spacewalk (cosmonaut Alexei Leonov on Voskhod 2), first Moon impact (Luna 2), first image of the far side of the Moon (Luna 3) and unmanned lunar soft landing (Luna 9), first space rover (Lunokhod 1), first sample of lunar soil automatically extracted and brought to Earth (Luna 16), and first space station (Salyut 1). Further notable records included the first interplanetary probes: Venera 1 and Mars 1 to fly by Venus and Mars, respectively, Venera 3 and Mars 2 to impact the respective planet surface, and Venera 7 and Mars 3 to make soft landings on these planets.
| Total Launches | 2,456 |
|---|---|
| Successful | 2,288 |
| Failed | 168 |
| Consecutive Success | 17 |
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Soviet Space Program Energiya/Buran Buran OK-1K launch scheduled?
The Soviet Space Program Energiya/Buran Buran OK-1K launch was scheduled for:
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Where did the Soviet Space Program Energiya/Buran Buran OK-1K mission launch from?
The Soviet Space Program Energiya/Buran rocket launched from 110/37 (110L) at Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan. The Baikonur Cosmodrome is a spaceport operated by Russia within Kazakhstan. Located in the Kazakh city of Baikonur, it is the largest operational space launch facility in terms of area. All Russian crewed spaceflights are launched from Baikonur.
What rocket was used for the Buran OK-1K mission?
The Buran OK-1K mission launched aboard a Soviet Space Program Energiya/Buran rocket. Energia (Russian: Энергия, Energiya, "Energy") (GRAU 11K25) was a Soviet rocket that was designed by NPO Energia to serve as a heavy-lift partially recoverable launch system for a variety of payloads including the Buran spacecraft. Detailed rocket specifications and performance data are available in the rocket details above.
What weather conditions could have delayed the Soviet Space Program Energiya/Buran Buran OK-1K launch?
The Soviet Space Program Energiya/Buran Buran OK-1K launch could have been delayed by various weather conditions including lightning within 10 nautical miles, high winds (especially upper-level winds), thick cloud layers, precipitation, and poor visibility. Weather must be favorable at the launch site, downrange landing zones, and abort landing sites.
How can I get updates if the Soviet Space Program Energiya/Buran Buran OK-1K launch was delayed?
This page was updated in real-time with the latest Soviet Space Program Energiya/Buran launch status, including any delays or scrubs for the Buran OK-1K mission. You can also check our space launch schedule for historical launch information. Our mobile app provides push notifications for instant alerts about launch status changes. Official Soviet Space Program live streams provided the most immediate range updates during the launch window.
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